The vinyl countdown: Greater Manchester’s best record shops

The shopfront of Clampdown Records must be one of the most recognisable in Manchester, and not just because it’s been featured in numerous TV shows and films. (Most recently, it had a starring role in Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin). 

Kingbee Records is a proper old-school record shop. The custard-yellow storefront is a beacon, drawing in music lovers from all over and owner Les Hare is happy to chat to them all.

When it comes to music in Manchester this place is the absolute business. Piccadilly Records is the coolest square footage of retail space in the Northern Quarter (and possibly the world).

Reel Around The Fountain Records is a vinyl store in Stretford Mall. For an indie record shop, it’s pretty vast. Like a Virgin Megastore without the chart hits. Instead you’ll find all the coolest albums, all the cult underground hits, the rock canon and the alternative classics. It’s one of Marc Riley from BBC 6 Music recommendations and a Confidential Guides top pick too.

Sifters is the legendary record shop immortalised in Shakermaker. Apparently Noel Gallagher used to spend his pocket money here. If so, he’ll have picked up a whole stack of vinyl because there are bargains aplenty to be had at Sifters.

SK1 Records is more than just a record shop. It’s an important part of the town’s current buzz and it feels like the heart of Stockport’s music community.

Vinyl Exchange probably has Manchester city centre’s biggest selection of second hand vinyl and certainly the most varied.
It’s an eclectic collection. This means it sometimes gets crowded on weekends because there’s less space for customers when you dedicate racks to krautrock and contemporary psychedelia as well as all the usual genres.

Wax and Beans is a vinyl and coffee combo where you can indulge all your passions at once. Affectionately known as Beansies, it’s Bury’s only independent record shop, set in a handsome Grade II listed building right in the middle of town.